Thursday, January 20, 2011

Picture It Picture Books


The one and only book series that children illustrate themselves. We write the stories and leave out the illustrations, giving children a chance to set their imaginations free. Our books focus on the environment, social responsibility, positive human interaction and creativity.

A Picture Book Without Pictures?

The most important part about Picture It Picture Books is that they don’t have any pictures.  We give our readers the opportunity to illustrate their very own books.  By visualizing the images to a story as it unfolds and then committing those images to paper, readers engage with our texts in a meaningful, physical way.  This increases reading comprehension and encourages readers to apply what they’ve learned to their own lives.
Picture It Picture Books:  Drawing on your imagination.

My Review:  Brianna, age 7, absolutely loves "The Moon Story" book that we were given to try out!  She is definitely a budding artist, and is usually found sitting at the table drawing or painting a picture for someone.  So the concept of her getting to create the pictures for each page of a story is brilliant!  It taps into her creative side and allows her the freedom to make the story her own, as she imagines it in her mind.  When I asked her what she liked best about it she said, "It's fun" and "Drawing is better than words".  Brie has spent quite a bit of time with her book already and I know that this will be a keepsake forever.  These books would make a unique gift for any creative child!  These books are available online at Chapters or through Picture It Picture Books directly.

***I was given a free copy of "The Moon Story" courtesy of Picture It Picture Books and Mom Central Canada in exchange for my review.  The opinions on this blog are my own***

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Softly and Tenderly

Softly and Tenderly
by:  Sara Evans and Rachel Hauck


Jade has moved from her past toward a bright future. But then the man she loves most destroys her trust.
Jade Fitzgerald's hope for a perfect marriage shatters when her husband confesses he has an illegitimate son. What’s more, he wants to raise the boy in their home.
Hurting and confused, Jade embarks on a road trip to Iowa to take her sick mother to her childhood home. In the comfort of the old homeplace, Jade struggles with her fears and the tug of her first love. With the help of her family and her faith, she comes to understand her future doesn't rest on the power of her past, but in the goodness of God's mercy.

My Review:  I enjoyed this book and I easily read it as a stand-alone book, despite the fact that I have not read the first book in this series.  The main character has a lot of difficult things going on in her life which leads her, at times, to make some bad choices along the way.  Yet through all of the pain she is able to find healing and a fresh start.

***I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. ***